Receptacle drainers



y 1962 v. R. ROMERO 3,032,203

RECEPTACLE DRAINER Filed Aug. 1, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /0/227 /7 it? -5.Z 7 /7 a; 4 A 5 jg.

IN V EN TOR.

V/cfor K KOMF/W WWW? United States Patent 3,032,203 RECEPTACLE DRAINERSVictor R. Romero, Albion, Mich assignor to Union Steel Products Company,Albion, Mich. Filed Aug. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 46,777 10 Claims. (Cl.211-41) This invention relates to improvements in receptacle drainersparticularly adapted for home or household use.

The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a receptacle drainer which is adapted for the drainingof dishes and glassware and the like.

Second, to provide a receptacle drainer embodying these advantages whichis simple and economical in structure and which may be made ofrelatively light stock, such as wire, and at the same time is verystrong and rigid and capable of withstanding severe use or handling.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a receptacle drainer embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view with a tumbler mounted on one of thesupports.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vertical section ona line corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 1, parts being broken away andshown in section to illustrate structural details thereof.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section on a linecorresponding to line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view with a tumbler positioned on oneholder member.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the right hand side of FIG. 8.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated is especially designed forhome or household use and it is illustrated in an embodiment adapted forthat use and comprises a top border frame 1 formed of wire stock havingparallel side members 2 and end members 3 desirably formed integrally,the joint not being illustrated. A plurality of longitudinal bottommembers 44, 55 and 6 are provided in the embodiment illustrated andthese have upturned end portions 77, 88 and 9, the upper ends of whichare disposed on the inner sides of the end members 3 of the top bordermember and fixedly secured thereto. The longitudinal members 7 havedownwardly offset loops 10 therein constituting legs. Separate numeralsare used in connection with these longitudinal members and theiruprights for convenience in description. They are all desirably formedof wire stock of the same gauge. Transverse members 11 are disposed ininwardly spaced relation to the end members of the top frame intransverse relation to the longitudinal members and are fixedly securedthereto. These have upwardly projecting end members 12 which are fixedlysecured at their upper ends to the side members 2 of the top frame.Intermediate these members 11 are a plurality of dish support unitsdesignated generally by the numeral 13 and comprising three laterallyspaced members 14, and 16. The outer of these members 14 and 15terminate at opposite ends thereof in upwardly projecting side members17 and 18 respectively which are secured to the opposite side members 2of the top border frame, see FIG. 1. The ends of the intermediatemembers of these units are connected to the corresponding end of theadjacent outer member by 3,932,203 Patented May 1, 1962 the upwardlyprojecting receptacle holder loop 19. In the embodiment illustrated,there are four of these units 13 which provide eight upwardly projectingreceptacle holder members 19. See FIG. 1. To support these receptacleholder loops 19 and reinforce the uprights 17 and 18 in the embodimentof my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, I provide a continuousinner frame member 20 of generally rectangular form and of somewhat lessdimension than the top border frame 1 and which has side and end members21 and 22 secured to the receptacle receiving loops 19 at 23, see FIG.4, reinforcing the same and serving as rests for receptacles invertedover the loops as 24, see FIGS. 3 and 4. These members 19 being in theform of loops are relatively stiff and are unlikely to be bent laterallyor distorted as the result of coming in contact with some exteriorobject in handling the drainer or stresses other than use.

These transverse members 11, 14, 15 and 16 have upwardly aligned dishholders in the form of oflisets or loops 25 therein between thelongitudinal members 5, these being desirably inclined as is illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing. They are adapted to receive dishes suchas plates, saucers and the like and support them in spaced relation. Theapplicant is aware that this general arrangement of dish holders is oldin the art and has been commercially used to a very large extent but inthese commercial structures, the load placed upon dish supports 25 isentirely sustained by the welds to the longitudinal members.

In the structure of the applicants invention, the torsional stressresulting from positioning the dishes in the holders is largelysustained by the loop-like receptacle holders 19 and these holders arein turn very securely supported so that they are not likely to bedistorted even when placed under stress beyond normal use stresses as isvery likely to occur. It will be appreciated that is practicallyimpossible to distort them laterally but they may be bent inwardly oroutwardly relative to the inner frame members 23 and the top frame asuse conditions may render desirable. The support members 19 do notproject above or laterally to a substantial degree relative to the topborder frame and the side members 17. Another advantage is that theholder units 13 are very easily formed and they are assembled with theother parts as units and spot welded thereto as is indicated in FIG. 4and greatly reinforce the associated parts.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 the topborder frame 1, the longitudinal bottom members 4-4, 5-5 and 6 and thetransverse members 11 and the dish support units 13 are the same, oressentially the same, as disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5inclusive, and therefore description of those elements or parts is notrepeated.

The continuous inner frame member 20 is omitted from the embodimentshown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9. In that embodiment of my invention Iprovide inner side members designated generally by the numeral 26 anddisposed in downwardly spaced relation to the top side members 2 andhaving downwardly offset upwardly facing loops 27 therein, the bights ofwhich are disposed in crossing relation to the receptacle supports 19and which constitute rests and lateral supports for glassware and thelike, indicated at 24, see FIGS. 8 and 9.

' The side or upright portions 28 of these holder memers 27 arelaterally spaced relative to the support members 19 so that an openingis provided to receive the bers are supported so that they are notdistorted in normal use of the drainer.

The embodiments of my invention illustrated are especially designed forhousehold or domestic use so that light weight in proportion to strengthis of substantial importance from manufacturing and shipping costs andfrom use. It is quite common practice to coat the entire structure withsome thermo plastic material but as that forms no part of my presentinvention, I do not illustrate such coating material. Also it is desiredto state that parts may be formed entirely of thermoplastic material.

I have illustrated and described my invention in two highly practicalembodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describeother adaptations or embodiments of my invention as I believe thisdisclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt myinvention as may be desired for particular segments as to size and thelike.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dish drainer comprising vertically spaced parallel top and innerframe members, each including side and end members, a plurality oflaterally spaced parallel bottom members having upturned ends fixedlysecured to the end members of said top and inner frame members, endtransverse members fixedly secured to said longitudinal bottom membersand having upturned ends fixedly secured to the sides of said top andinner frame members, and a plurality of dish support units disposedtransversely of said longitudinal bottom members, each comprising threelaterally spaced members disposed transversely of and supportedlymounted on said longitudinal members, the outer of said unit membersterminating at opposite ends thereof in an upwardly projecting sidemember secured to said top and inner frame members, said outer andintermediate members of said support units being connected at oppositeends thereof by upwardly projecting downwardly facing loops disposed inoutwardly inclined relation to said top and inner frame members andfixedly secured to said inner frame member, the inner frame memberconstituting a rest for receptacles disposed in inverted relation onsaid loops, said transverse bottom members having aligned upwardlyOffset loops therein constituting dish supports.

2. A dish drainer comprising vertically spaced parallel top and innerframe members, each including side and end members, a plurality oflaterally spaced parallel bottom members having upturned ends fixedlysecured to the end members of said top and inner frame members, and aplurality of dish support units disposed transversely of saidlongitudinal bottom members, each comprising three laterally spacedmembers disposed transversely of and supportedly mounted on saidlongitudinal members, the outer of said unit members terminating atopposite ends thereof in an upwardly projecting side member secured tosaid top and inner frame members, said outer and intermediate members ofsaid support units being connected at opposite ends thereof by upwardlyprojecting downwardly facing loops disposed in outwardly inclinedrelation to said top and inner frame members and fixedly secured to saidinner frame member, the inner frame member constituting a rest forreceptacles disposed in inverted relation on said loops, said transversebottom members having aligned upwardly ofi'set loops thereinconstituting dish supports.

3. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, a plurality of laterally spaced parallel bottom members havingupturned ends fixedly secured to the end members of said top framemember, a plurality of dish support units disposed transversely of saidlongitudinal bottom members, and each comprising laterally spaced outerand intermediate members disposed transversely of and supportedlymounted on said longitudinal members and having upwardly proje ctingaligned dish supporting loops, the outer of said unit In mbersterminating at opposite ends thereof in upwardly projecting side memberssecured to said top frame side members, said outer and intermediatemembers of said support units being connected by upwardly projec'ingdownwardly facing loops disposed in outwardly inclined relation to theside members of said top frame member, and inner side members disposedin downwardly spaced relation to the side members of the top frame andto which said side uprights and said loops of said dish support unitsare secured with said loops disposed in outwardly inclined relationrelative thereto and to said top frame member to receive invertedreceptacles.

4. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, a plurality of laterally spaced parallel bottom members havingupwardly projecting aligned dish supporting loops therein and havingupturned ends fixedly secured to the end members of said top framemember, end transverse members fixedly secured to said longitudinalbottom members and having upturned ends fixedly secured to the sides ofsaid top frame member, and a plurality of receptacle support unitsdisposed transversely of said longitudinal bottom members, said supportunits comprising laterally spaced outer and intermediate membersdisposed transversely of and supportedly mounted on said longitudinalmembers, the outer said members terminating at opposite ends thereof inupwardly projecting side members secured to said top frame side members,said outer and intermediate members of said support units beingconnected by upwardly projecting downwardly facing loops disposed inoutwardly inclined relation to said top frame side members to receiveinverted receptacles.

5. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, a plurality of laterally spaced parallel bottom members havingupwardly proj c ing aligned dish supporting loops therein and havingupturned ends fixedly secured to the end members of said top framemembers, and a plurality of receptacle support units disposedtransversely of said longitudinal bottom members, said receptaclesupport units comprising laterally spaced outer and intermediate membersdisposed transversely of and supportedly mounted on said longitudinalmembers, the outer support unit members terminating at opposite endsthereof in upwardly projecting side members secured to said top frameside members, said outer and intermediate members of said support unitsbeing connected by upwardly projecting downwardly facing loops disposedin outwardly inclined relation to said top frame side members to receiveinverted receptacles, said transverse members of said dish support unitshaving aligned upwardly offset loops therein constituting receptacleholders.

6. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, a plurality of laterally spaced parallel bottom members havingupwardly projecting aligned dish supporting loops therein and havingupturned ends fixedly secured to the end members of said top framemember, end transverse members fixedly secured to said longitudinalbottom members and having upturned ends fixedly secured to the sides ofsaid top frame member, and a plurality of receptacle support unitsdisposed transversely of said longitudinal bottom members, each of saidreceptacle support units comprising laterally spaced out r andintermediate members disposed transversely of and supportedly mounted onsaid longitudinal members, the outer support unit members terminating atopposite ends thereof in upwardly projecting side members secured tosaid top frame side members, said outer and intermediate members of saidsupport units being connectd by upwardly projecting downwardly facingloops disposed in outwardly inclined relation to said top frame sidemembers to receive inverted receptacles.

7. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, a plurality of laterally spaced parallel bottom members havingupwardly projecting aligned dish supporting loops therein and havingupturned ends fixedly secured to the end members of said top framemember, and a plurality of receptacle support units disposedtransversely of said longitudinal bottom members, each comprisinglaterally spaced outer and intermediate members disposed transversely ofand supportedly mounted on said longitudinal members, the outer supportunit members terminating at opposite ends thereof in upwardly projectingsid: members secured to said top frame side members, said outer andintermediate members of said support units being connected by upwardlyprojecting downwardly facing loops disposed in outwardly inclinedrelation to said top frame side members to re ceive invertedreceptacles.

8. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, laterally spaced parallel bottom members having upwardlyprojecting aligned dish supporting loops therein and having upturnedends fixedly secured to the end members of said top frame member, and aplurality of receptacle support units disposed transversely of saidlongitudinal bottom members, each of said receptacle support unitscomprising laterally spaced outer and intermediate members disposedtransversely of and supportedly mounted on said longitudinal members,the outer of said support unit members terminating at opposite endsthereof in upwardly projecting side members secured to said top frameside members, said outer and intermediate members of said support unitsbeing connected by upwardly projecting downwardly facing loops disposedin outwardly inclined relation to said top frame side members toconstitute holder members for inverted receptacles, and inner sidemembers spaced downwardly from the side members of said top frame memberand having downwardly offset upwardly facing loops disposed between theside members of said receptacle support units, the bights of which arefixedly secured to said receptacle holders with the side members thereofspaced from said receptacle holder members to receive a receptacleinverted on a holder member.

9. A dish drainer comprising a top frame member including side and endmembers, laterally spaced parallel bottom members having upwardlyprojecting aligned dish supporting loops therein and having upturnedends fixedly secured to the' end members of said top frame member, aplurality of receptacle support units disposed transversely of saidlongitudinal bottom members, each of said receptacle support unitscomprising laterally spaced outer and intermediate members disposedtransversely of and supportedly mounted on said longitudinal members,the

outer of said support unit members terminating at opposite ends thereofin upwardly projecting side members secured to said top frame sidemembers, said outer and interm diate members of said support units beingconnected by upwardly projecting downwardly facing loops disposed inoutwardly inclined relation to said top frame side members to constituteholder members for inverted receptacles, and inner side members spaceddownwardly from the side members of said top frame member and havingdownwardly offset upwardly facing loops disposed between the sidemembers of said receptacle support units secured to said receptaclehoid3rs with the side members thereof spaced from said receptacleholders to receive receptacles invertedly positioned thereon.

10. A dish drainer comprising laterally spaced top side members, aplurality of laterally spaced bottom members having upwardly projectingaligned dish supporting loops therein and disposed in parallel relationto said side top members, a plurality of laterally spaced receptaclesupport members disposed transversely of said bottom members insupported relation thereto, and having laterally spaced upturned endsfixedly secured to said top side members, upwardly projecting downwardlyfacing loop like receptacle holders integral with certain of saidtransverse members disposed between and in outwardly inclined relationrelative to said upturned ends of said transverse members and adapted tosupportedly receive inverted receptacles, and combined support andreceptacle rest members spaced downwardly from said top side members andfixedly secured to said upturned end sections of said transverse membersand having downwardly projecting ofisets therein disposed between saidupturned ends of said receptacle support members with the bights thereoffixedly secured to said receptacle holders in downwardly spaced relationto the upper ends thereof, and with the side members thereof spaced fromsaid receptacle holders to receive a receptacle invertedly positionedthereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS825,631 Agnew July 10, 1900 2,159,365 Barrie May 23, 1939 2,697,525Breneman Dec. 21, 1954 2,710,617 James June 14, 1955 2,739,715 PlanetaMar. 27, 1956 2,799,426 Kaye July 16, 1957 2,910,207 Andrew Oct. 27, 1957

